Garment hangers



Feb. 7, 1961 N. E. BROOKE 70,726

' GARMENT HANGERS Filed Nov. 15, 1956 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Norman E. Brooke Feb. 7, 1961 Filed Nov. 13, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.?

e 7 AM Nr msfi 8 6 WE 2 l 9n 6 F m 6 r 5 80 N v. M 8/4 W m. H: .A m r 5 8 B 9 2 9 2 5 /r 7 1 2 e B 2 2 G I 6 6 I l l W F 6 46 3 4 w G F GARMENT HANGERS Filed Nov. 13, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.I4

N jFrugh/or Nordn E. Brooke United States Patent GARMENT HANGERS Norman E. Brooke, 3232 Rittenhouse St., Washington 15, D.C.

Filed Nov. 13, 1956, Ser. No. 621,640

2 Claims. (Cl. 223-96) This invention relates generally to the class of apparel apparatus and is directed particularly to improvements in garment hangers, especially hangers of the type generally designed for hanging or suspending mens trousers.

The invention of the present application is directed to certain constructional details in the hangers of the general construction disclosed in my copending applications Serial No. 476,870, filed December 22, 1954, now Patent No. 2,777,620, granted January 15, 1957, and Serial No. 517,588, filed June 23, 1955, now Patent No. 2,804,- 246, granted August 27, 1957, which details formpatentably distinct improvements and refinements over the structures of those applications.

In my prior applications, and in the present one, the hanger in its simplest form embodies a pair of coacting gripping jaws which are coupled together by two spring legs connected to a suspension hook. In the second form two pairs of jaws are provided by a central bar and a jaw element on each side which coacts with the adjacent side of the bar which acts as a second jaw. A central member attached to the bar at its transverse center is flanked on opposite sides by spring legs each of which is attached to a jaw element and these and the central member are coupled together above the transverse center of the central bar and are also coupled to a supporting hook. The legs of the first form are connected by a slide ring or sleeve by which the two jaws are drawn together when the slide is slid down. In the second form a slide connects each leg with the adjacent central member for the same purpose.

In the two forms of hanger above described the manner of connecting together the spring legs, hooks and other parts is such that a number of separate operations is required to effect their assembly and the securing of the same together.

It is accordingly a particular object of the present invention to provide a hanger wherein a new and novel means is provided whereby the assembling and fixing together of the parts associated with the supporting hook may be effected with a minimum of effort and of operations and whereby at the same time a strong and solid construction is obtained.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a hanger of the character outlined, a novel association of the spring legs and the supporting hook wherein a portion of the hook functions as a clamping and securing means.

Still another object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, in a hanger of the form described, a coupler between parts of the hanger and the hook which coupler is formed to have a threaded shank portion of the hook threadedly connected therewith in a manner to clamp the coupler and parts firmly together with the single thread connection.

A still further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a hanger having a central jaw bar and lateral jaws coacting with the sides of the bar, an arched frame above and extending lengthwise of the jaw bar, a yoke disposed across the jaw bar at the transverse center thereof and a two leg spring unit on the yoke and having the endsof the legs each attached to a movable jaw with a novel coupler formed to receive superposed portions of the frame, the yoke and the leg spring unit with a suspension hook threadedly attached to the coupler and binding the coupler and the said superposed parts tightly together in a firm compact assemblage.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a hanger embodying a pair of jaw members and a spring leg unit having each leg secured to a jaw member with a slide coupling the spring legs for drawing the same and the jaws together when slid down on the legs, and wherein the spring legs are so designed that the slide will not slip or ride back to release the jaws when a body of material is gripped therebetween.

Another object is to provide a double spring unit with one lying within the other and the outer unit providing two spring legs to each of which a jaw member is attached, wherein the legs are so placed that they will each rest against a part of the inner unit and be prevented from assuming a curvature which, when a coupling slide between the leg and the part against which it rests is slid down to close the jaws, would permit the slide to slip or ride back and release the hold of the jaws.

Still another object is to provide a hanger device wherein the jaw members are formed to flex with the spring legs to which they are attached, when drawn together by a slide coupling the legs, whereby the spring legs are kept more nearly parallel when the jaw members are gripping a body and the possibility of the slide slipping up is reduced to a minimum.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a new and novel means of securing the end portions of spring legs to metal jaw members wherein the springiness of the material of the legs is made effective to establish a tight, non-slipping frictional connection between the leg and the metal jaw member.

In all, it is a general object to provide a hanger for a single garment or double garment which is of maximum simplicity of design and embodies a minimum number of parts and which at the same time is of maximum efficiency in action, is strong and durable and may be made attractive in appearance.

The general object also, in addition to the foregoing is to provide such a hanger wherein the design of the mechanically connected parts is such that the parts can be assembled quickly and easily so that the hanger can be produced with maximum economy.

A still further object or the invention is to provide a garment hanger of the character hereinbefore described, having associated with the gripping means for holding trousers suspended by the cults, or a skirt suspended by the waist band, a new and novel means for holding, in addition, a number of pairs of trousers folded across the legs and in such a manner as not to produce an unsightly crease across the legs.

In addition to the foregoing it is an object to connect the said new and novel means with the jaw members so that such means may be moved or shifted relative to the jaw members for maximum ease of hanging garments by such means or by the jaw members, and removing the garments.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description of the same proceeds, and theinvention will accordingly be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in association with the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, with the under Patented Feb. 7, 1961 3 standing however, that the invention may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a garment hanger, constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, adapted for supporting one garment, such as a pair of mens trousers, the hanger being closed.

Figure 2 is a top view of the hanger, on an enlarged scale, showing the jaws open.

Figure 3 is an end view of the closed hanger.

Figure 4 is a section, on an enlarged scale, taken sub stantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, the spring leg unit and hook shank being in elevation.

Figure 5 is a section, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the line 5--5 of Figure 2, the bottom end of the spring leg being in edge elevation and showing how the friction engagement is made between the jaw and leg.

Figure 6 is a section corresponding to Figure 5, but showing the initial position of the spring leg in the out pressed loop and bent preparatory to drawing the bent end into the loop.

Figure 7 is a view in perspective of a second embodiment of the garment hanger, adapted for supporting two pairs of trousers or other garments, with a frame structure for facilitating the support also of a shirt orcoat.

Figure 8 is a section taken in a vertical transverse plane.

Figure 9 is a section on an enlarged scale, taken sub stantially in the vertical plane of line 9-9 on Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a view looking at the underside of the coupler from the horizontal plane of line 10-10 on Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a section taken substantially on line 11-11 of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a section on an enlarged scale taken substantially on line 12-12 of Figure 7.

Figure 13 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 1313 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a view in perspective of a further embodiment of the invention showing in association with the embodiment of Figure 7, pivot bars across which to hang folded trousers.

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line'15-15 of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a detail section taken on the line 16-16 of Figure 14.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and especially to Figures 1 to 5 which illustrate the present invention as embodied in a single garment hanger having only two jaws, the numeral 10 generally designates the garment clamp or gripping means by which trousers may be suspended by the cuffs or a skirt may be suspended by the waist band.

The numeral 12 generally designates the spring leg unit and the numeral 14 generally designates the suspension means, here shown as a hook but which could be, by an obvious extension of the hook end, an eye for engagement over a nail or another hook. Accordingly in the use of the term hook hereinafter in the specification and in the claims it will be understood that its equivalent in the form of a shanked eye is contemplated.

The clamp or gripping means 10 comprises the two longitudinally bowed jaws 16 which coact to clamp or grip and support a garment and in order that they may function most efficiently, especially when clamping the two cuffs of a mans trousers, the concave sides are opposed. The arch or bow of each jaw extends through the major length of the jaw and joins at each end of the jaw the short straight terminal portion I8. The terminal portions 18 of the two jaws are substantially parallel.

Each of the jaws 16 is formed from a suitable length of fiat, strip metal, such as aluminum, light spring steel or any other metal of suitable light weight and resiliency.

For the attachment to the jaws, of the leg portions of the hereinafter described spring unit 12, each jaw has struck out therefrom, midway between its ends, an outwardly bowing loop of the metal, which is designated 20. This loop is formed by first punching or drilling two holes 21, spaced apart vertically, or across the width of the jaw and then. with a suitably formed die, forcing or stretching outwardly the metal between the holes, so that at each end of the loop a curved edge of a hole will lie outwardly from the side of the jaw. The manner in. which the legs of the spring unit are secured to the jaws by means of these loops is hereinafter described.

The spring leg unit 12 comprises a length of relatively narrow spring steel which is formed in a substantially U shape to provide the two legs 22, joined by an archl or how 23.

The unit 12 is attached to the jaws 16 by first pass-- ing the free end of each leg 22 under a loop 20, to ex-- tend across the outer side of the jaw with the and ex,-

- tending beyond the bottom edge of the jaw and the ex-- tended end portion is then bent in under the edge of the jaw as at 22a, in Figure 6. The bent end of the leg is then pulled back so that it is drawn up onto the face of the jaw as shown in Figure 5. The bowed end 22a is drawn under the loop and the end edge as it rides onto the face of the jaw, is pressed firmly against the surface of the jaw and the spring tension holds it in a tight frictional engagement with the jaw.

The leg unit rises above the jaws as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, with the arch 23 forming a head across the hanger.

The attachment of the suspendion hook 14 to the bow or arch 23 is effected by means of a coupler which is generally designated 24. This coupler comprises a short sleeve of tubular metal of circular cross section having an inside diameter just large enough to snugly receive the head or bow portion 23 which must lie on and across the end edge of the sleeve where it curves down away from the sleeve ends as shown in Fig. 4.

The sleeve forming the coupler has a tapped hole 25 which, when the sleeve is in position on the head 23, is directed downwardly toward the upwardly disposed flat side of the metal strip of which the spring leg unit is formed.

The hook 24 comprises the circular part or crook 26 and a short straight shank 27 at one end of'the crook.

The'shank 27 is threaded, as at 28, for engagement in the tapped hole 25 and it is screwed in until the end of the shank is forced firmly against the flat top surface of the arch portion as shown in Figure 4 and thus the side edge of the arched portion will be forced against the end edges of the sleeve to bite thereinto and form a nonslipping, locking connection therewith.

The spring legs 22 of the unit 12 are so resiliently biased as to tend to spread or move apart when unrestrained or diverge toward their free ends. Accordingly they constantly tend to urge the jaws 16 apart as shown in Figure 2, which figure shows the hanger in top plan and open to receive a garment.

The jaws are drawn together to grip a garment, by means of the slide or runner 29. This, in the form shown, comprises a band strip 30, of metal, formed in a long loop having the parallel sides 31, joined at their ends by a short cross bar 32. The loop encircles the two spring legs 22 and is of a length approximately the same as the width of the unit 12 between the legs 22 at the top.

Each cross bar 32, spans a leg 22 and slides thereon. Thus, when the runner is slid down on the legs 22 they will be drawn together from their divergent relation to the relation shown in Figures 1 and 3 to bring the outer end portions 18 together. 'The arch 23, as shown in Fig.

3, is a wide and approximately ,fiat arch and it will be seen that when the jaws are closed together the width or span of the arch is approximately the same, as or slightly greater than, the distance between the ends of the legs.

The bow of the jaws is such with respect to the length of the runner that when the runner is slid down on the legs the outer end portions 18 of the jaws will come together before the runner reaches its lowest position. Thus the jaws will be flexed inwardly slightly, so that the terminal portions 18, will be pressed together with considerable pressure. This not only assures the gripping of a thin piece of material with sufficient force to prevent it from slipping from between the jaws, but, also, when an excessively thick piece of material is to be gripped, such as the cuffs of trousers made of a thick, heavy fabric, the thick parts of the cuffs where the seams come together, will not keep the jaws from closing to the extent where the outer portions are prevented from firmly gripping the culls between them.

To further insure a firm, non-slipping grip, the opposing faces of the jaws may have a covering 33 of felt or any other suitable material secured thereover.

When the runner 29 is slid up to permit the jaws 16 to separate, its upward movement will be arrested by the coupler 24, to prevent its escape from the spring leg unit, as the width of the coupler is greater than the inside width of the runner, as shown in Figure 2.

Figures 7 to 13 illustrate the present invention as incorporated in a double hanger, or a hanger designed to support two pairs of trousers, two skirts or any two garments.

This second embodiment of the invention generally comprises the dual gripping means 50; the spring leg unit 51; the frame 52; the suspension hook S3, and the coupler means 54.

The garment gripping means for two garments, comprises the central jaw bar 55, on each side of which is a jaw member 56, corresponding in shape or form to the jaws 16 in that each is longitudinally bowed and has each end terminating in a short straight portion 57.

Each of the jaw members is also formed midway of its ends, in the same manner as the jaws 16, with the out-struck, bowed spring leg holding loop 58.

The central jaw bar 55 is preferably formed as a hollow or tubular metal member which may be fashioned from a single flat strip of metal of suitable width so that it may be bent along longitudinal lines to form the narrow top longitudinal wall 59, the side walls 60 and the inturned edge opposed bottom wall forming flanges 61.

Each end edge of the top wall is notched or cut out across its full width as at 62, for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

The top wall also has formed therein, midway between its ends, the slot 63, Figure 8, for the hereinafter described purpose.

The spring leg unit 51 comprises an inner yoke 64, formed of narrow strip spring steel and an outer spring leg yoke 65 of spring steel, preferably of the same width and thickness.

The inner yoke 64 forms an arch across the top of the jaw bar 55 and comprises the side members 66 and the cross connecting top 67.

The side members 66 have the lower end portions formed with the inturned sections 68, which are directed inwardly toward one another, and the adjacent downturned terminal sections 69. These terminal sections 69 are bound together by the band or collar 70, at the upper ends where they join the sections 68, and their free ends are extended down through the slot 63, in the top 59 of the jaw bar 55, as shown in Figure 8.

The spring leg yoke 65 is of inverted U-shape, like the unit 12 of the first described form and comprises the long spring legs 71 and, the cross connectingtop part or arch 72.

The yoke 65 straddles and has nested therein, the inner yoke 64 and the ends of the legs 71 extend across the outer sides of the jaw members 56, under the loops 58 in which they are tightly frictionally secured.

Encircling each spring leg 71 and the adjacent side member 66 of the inner yoke above the inturned section 68, is a slide or runner 73.

As in the case of the unit 12, the legs 71 are biased to spring outward to a divergent relation when the slides 73 are moved upwardly. Thus when the slides are forced down to the position shown in Figures 7 and 8, the legs 71 will be flexed or bent inward and the jaw members will be pressed at their ends 57 against the adjacent sides of the center jaw bar 55.

The coupler 54 comprises a short cylinder 74, having a wall of substantial thickness, as shown in Figures 9 and 11.

The cylinder 74 has a slot 75 cut thereacross to receive the superimposed top portions 67 and 72 of the yokes 64 and 65, which lie or extend across the diameter of the cylinder in the assembled structure.

The wall of the cylinder 74, between the ends of the slot 75, is bored and tapped at 76 to receive the threaded end of the short shank 77 which extends radially outwardly from the substantially semi-circular body 78 of the suspension hook.

The frame 52 comprises a long, flat strip of metal, bent transversely midway between its end to form a long arch, which extends lengthwise of and lies above the jaw bar 55.

At the longitudinal center of the arched frame a short straight portion is formed, as at 79, which passes longitudinally through the cylinder 74, which comprises the coupler 54, across the underside of the portions 67 and 72 of the yokes 64 and 65. v

The frame 52 extends, in the two long arms 80, downward from the coupler toward the ends of the center jaw bar, and each of these two arms 80 joins the short down wardly angled finger 81, which terminates in the inwardly rolled sleeve 82.

The frame is formed of band or strip material and the width thereof is substantially equal to the width of the jaw 55 between the side walls 60, as shown in Figure13. The fingers 51 are of a length approximately equal to the height of the jaw bar as shown in Figure 12.

Each finger 81 positions in the recess or notch 62 in the adjacent end of the jaw bar and extends down between the sides 60 with the sleeve 82 at its end lying over and across the bottom wall forming flanges 61, thus closing the end of the hollow jaw bar.

After the fingers 81 at the two ends of the frame are engaged across the ends of the jaw bar, they are secured against disengagement by forcing a button 83 in from the material of one or both side walls 60 at one end of each sleeve 82, to extend into the adjacent ends of the sleeve as shown in Figure 13. Thus the center jaw bar 55 is securely fixed between the two ends of the arched frame extending lengthwise thereover and the jaw bar and termmal sections 69 of the yoke 64 are secured together.

In putting together the parts, the top portions 67 and 72 are first inserted into the cross slot 75 in the coupler cylinder and then an end of the frame, before bending the finger 81 and forming the sleeve 82, is run through the cylinder 74, under the portions 67 and 72. By then screwlng in the threaded terminal of the hook shank 77, into the tapped opening 76, the end of the shank may be forced against the portion 72 of the spring leg yoke to press this, the portion 67 and the straight portion 79 of t7l1le frame, firmly against the bottom part of the cylinder The slides 73 vw'll have been, of course, previously put on the spring legs and the adjacent portions 66 of the center part of the yoke 64 of the unit 51. After connectmg the coupler 54 to theparts as above described the center jaw 55 and frame may be secured togetherrand serene 7 the outer jaw members 56 attached in' the manneddescribed, 7 HM I a In the second embodiment, a band 84 of fabric or other suitable material, may be secured'a'rou'nd the length of the center jaw bar, along the side walls 60 and across the ends. The inner sides of the jaw mer'nbe'r's 56 may also, and preferably do, have a facing 85 of felt or the like, secured thereto.

The assembling of the hanger shown in course,; simpler.

In this form the spring leg unit 12 is passed through the coupler 24 lengthwise of the latter, with that side of the head or bow portion which is directed away from the legs 22, opposed to the tapped hole 25.

In each case the bow or head of the leg unit passes through-the coupler. In the first form it passes through the length of the coupler and in the second it passes transversely through the coupler.

When the part 23 is positioned as desired in the coupler 24 the threaded shank 27 of the hook is threaded into the hole 25 until it presses the part 23 firmly down on the part underlying it; that is, in the case of the first embodiment, the under part of the coupler, and in the case of the second embodiment, the center part of the frame 52.

The legs 22 are then secured to the jaws 16, by the loops in the manner described.

Figures 14 to 16 illustrate a continuing form of the invention in the addition to the first embodiments of auxiliary suspension means and a means for conveniently maintaining moth preventives in close proximity to the suspended garments.

As will be readily apparent, the garment gripping means of this third embodiment shown in Figure 14, is like the construction shown in Figure 7 and comprises the long middle jaw forming bar 100, which is tubular and preferably formed from a single sheet of material, such as aluminum, or anything else of the most suitable weight and stiffness. This bar has the fiat top wall 101, side walls 102, only one of which is shown and inturned bottom flanges 103 which, like the flanges 61, form the bottom wall.

The top wall 101 has a series of openings 104, longitudinally therein, the end ones 104a of which are large enough to permit introduction into the hollow bar of bodies of moth or insect repellent, such as moth balls or flakes, the vapors from which will diffuse through the openings 104 and from the ends of the bar and between the opposed edges of the bottom forming flanges 103.

The numeral 105 general y designates the spring leg unit, corresponding to the unit 51, and embodying, like the unit 51. an inner yoke 106 and an outer spring leg yoke 107.

In addition to the unit 105 there is the frame 108, the suspension hook 109 and the coupler means 110 for securing the parts together.

The inner yoke 106 is connected at 111 to the middle part of the bar 100 and the sides of this yoke and the legs 112 of the leg yoke are encircled by the slides 113.

Since the parts 105 to 113 are duplicates of the more fully described parts found in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, a further description of the same is not thought to be necessary. It will also be understood that the manner of attaching the end portions of the spring legs 112, to the two outer jaw bars 114, at 115 may be the same as hereinbefore described.

The frame 108, which extends longitudinally of the jaw bar 100, and downwardly to the outer ends of the jaw bar, has its outer ends bent to form the short terminal portions 116 which lie between the ends of the side walls 102 of the jaw bar and these terminal portions Figure 1, is, of

themselves terminate in the inwardly rolled beads or cylinders 117, each of which has its ends against the inner ,sid es of the jaw bar side wal s 102.

4 The beaded orrolled ends 1 1 7 are secured in place,

an the'fraine 108 and other parts are accordingly secured to the jaw bar 100, by'the inwardly projectingbuttons 11 8 which are punched or pressed from'the'metal of the" walls 102. v

The her'einbefore referred to extension of' the inven-' tion as disclosed in the structures of Figures 1' and 7, resides in'the provision of the suspension bar units 119, supported below and longitudinally of the jaw bar 100.

The bar units 119 each comprises a strip or bar 120, of transversely arcuate form, as shown in Figure 16, having secured to the convex top face thereof a fabric or felt covering 121, preferably by up-and in-turned longitudinal edge flanges 122, in addition to the use of adhesive for holding the covering in place, or adhesive alone may be employed if desired.

Each bar 120, has at each end an upwardly extending hanger arm 123.

The two bar units 119, here shown, are in side by side relation and hang from the ends of the jaw bar 100, for swinging on a common axis extending longitudinally of the jaw bar.

Preferably the pivotal suspension of the bar units is effected by disposing the ends of adjacent'hanger arms 123, in overlapping relation against the outer side of the adjacent frame terminal portion 116, and extending through suitable openings in the arm ends and in the terminal portion 116, a pivot member such as the rivet 124, shown in Figure 15.

The numeral 125 designates a washer between the swaged outer end of the rivet and the outer arm 123.

With the third embodiment of the invention it will be seen that it is possible to hang on the one hanger a complete suit with several extra pairs of trousers. For example, the inclined frame provides a support on which may be hung a coat and vest. The jaw bar 100, with the two side jaws 114, provide means for hanging two pairs of trousers by the cuffs and each bar unit 119, may have a pair of trousers draped thereover. The hanger units 119, may be swung aside easily on the pivots 124 for putting the cuffs of a pair of trousers in position to be clamped between either jaw 124 and the adjacent side of the bar 100, or for removal of secured trousers, and the trousers when suspended by these means will hang or be suspended between the bars 120 of the units 119, or between trousers draped over the bars.

For effecting removal of trousers, or a skirt, gripped by and suspended from the jaws of the third embodiment, or the second one shown in Figure 7, the slides 113 or 73 are easily shifted upwardly and the spring leg carried jaws 114 or 56, will be shifted outwardly by such legs. Thus, either of two pairs of trousers can be released without disturbing the other.

In the case of the form of the invention shown in Figure 1, the jaws can be separated by the one hand holding the hanger by engaging the index finger of that hand under the slide and drawing upwardly on the slide.

From the foregoing it will be seen that by the present invention there is provided ina garment hanger of the type described, a simple and efiicient coupling means for joining the supporting hook to the parts to which the jaws are attached, which gives a strong and positive connection which can be effected quickly and with a minimum of effort. In addition there is also provided a novel hanger construction in the third embodiment by which a complete two-trouser suit with additional trousers or slacks can be hung on the'one support.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. In a garment hanger, the new combination of a pair of opposing jaw members, a spring unit embodying a single length of spring metal of inverted substantially U-form. having resilient side legs, the legs having free ends and being biased to move away from one another and the unit having an intermediate portion defining a wide, substantially flat arch, means operatively securing each of said legs adjacent to the free end thereof to a jaw member, a suspension element having a screw threaded shank end, a hollow coupler body between said unit and said suspension element, said coupler body being in the form of a short cylindrical tube having an opening axially therethrough, the said arch portion of the unit extending through the opening axially of the cylindrical tube which forms said hollow body and having opposite longitudinal sides supported at the two ends of the cylindrical tube upon end edge portions of the. tube and upon opposite sides of the tube, the hollovt coupler body having a tapped opening in the wall thereof above the said arch portion, the said screw threaded shank of the suspension element being threaded in and through the tapped opening and engaging and applying pressure upon said arch portion and forcing the said opposite, longitudinal sides of the arch portion tightly against the said end edge portions of the said two ends of the cylindrical tube which forms the hollow body and thereby locking and securing the unit against movement relative to the hollow body, the said wide substantially flat arch having a length approximating the distance between the free ends of the legs of the unit when the jaws are in closed relation, and means slidably connected with said unit legs for flexing the legs toward one another to draw the jaws to said closed relation.

2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said jaw members comprise longitudinally bowed relatively wide resilient strip metal bodies having their concave sides opposed and the means operatively securing each of said legs adjacent to its free end to a jaw member comprises a pair of apertures in the jaw member midway of its ends and the apertures being spaced apart along the length of the adjacent leg and the jaw member having the material thereof between the apertures outstretched and forming a projecting loop and the adjacent leg having the free end portion thereof extending through the adjacent apertures and through the adjacent loop and bowed outwardly below the loop and bearing with tension at its free end upon the jaw member whereby to resist its movement relative to the jaw member and prevent its withdrawal from the loop.

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